In a proud moment for Indian cricket, Shubman Gill has etched his name into the record books by breaking a 47-year-old record held by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. The young Indian captain reached this milestone during the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval in London on July 31, 2025.
With a brilliant run of form throughout the series, Gill has now scored 737* runs, the most ever by an Indian captain in a single Test series, showcasing not just his batting brilliance but also his growing stature as a leader.
The Record Broken
Gill has now recorded the highest number of runs by an Indian captain in a single Test series, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s famous tally of 732 runs set during the 1978-79 series against the West Indies.
Gavaskar’s record stood unchallenged for nearly five decades. Gill went past the mark in style by hitting a boundary early in India’s first innings at The Oval. By the end of the innings, his series tally had reached an incredible 743* runs.
Stats at a Glance
| Player | Role | Series Runs | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | Captain | 743* | England | 2025 |
| Sunil Gavaskar | Captain | 732 | West Indies | 1978-79 |
A Special Series for Gill
This has been a dream Test series for the 25-year-old captain. He has led from the front, scoring four centuries in five matches and averaging over 90 with the bat. His leadership has also drawn praise, especially for handling pressure in overseas conditions. Gill’s consistency and calmness under pressure have reminded many fans of some of India’s greats like Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli.
Other Records in Sight
- He is now just 31 runs away from breaking Gavaskar’s all-time record for the most runs by an Indian in a Test series, 774 runs, set in 1971 against England.
- He is also in pursuit of Sir Donald Bradman’s world record of 810 runs in a Test series as captain, set during the 1936-37 Ashes series.
What It Means
Breaking a record set by Sunil Gavaskar is no small achievement. Gavaskar is widely regarded as one of the greatest opening batters in the history of cricket. For a young captain like Gill to break such a milestone in just his first full series as Test captain shows his growing maturity and world-class talent. This series has not only marked Gill’s arrival as a top-tier batter but also as a capable leader for India’s future in red-ball cricket.
Conclusion
Shubman Gill’s historic feat is a moment of pride for Indian cricket fans around the world. In conditions where many struggle, he has shown class, temperament, and hunger for runs. With more records within reach, the future looks bright for Team India under Gill’s captaincy.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
